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Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules & Ions

Chapter 2, Problem 141

Lactic acid, a compound found both in sour milk and in tired muscles, has the structure shown. What is its chemical formula?

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Alright, so inspect this problem. We need to identify the molecular formula of the compound. Given the model for below. Alright, so let's go ahead and take a look at the legend that we have here. So, we're told that the nitrogen czar blue. So right there. So, this is a nitrogen considers only one. Oxygen's are red, there's only one red and then carbons are these great colors and then the hydrogen czar white or a little bit off white. So let's go ahead and just count how many of each we have. So for nitrogen and there's one for oxygen. There's one for carbon. We have 12345 in the spring and then the sixth one right there. And then for the hydrogen is we have 123456 and seven. Alright, so now let's go ahead and write down the formula for that. So, usually carbons and hydrogen is we write first, but it really doesn't matter. So, for carbons we have six for hydrogen is we have seven and then we're going to write a nitrogen and oxygen last. So, N. O. So, folks, this is actually the answer. This is going to be the molecular formula for these compounds that we have the image for below here. All right, Thanks so much for watching